Lubon National High School theater arts group portray how the Igorots defended their land, life and culture from foreign invaders during the 2017 Dulansangan in Malolos, Bulacan

When losing becomes winning

Julius Jay B. Daskeo Jr.

Everybody loves to win. Who wouldn’t? The exhilaration of getting first to the finish line, the joy of triumphantly holding up a trophy or a medal, the elation one feels when declared a winner- these are what everyone who joins a competition is fighting for. Thus, anyone joining a competition will give their all and even go beyond their limits just to get their one shot to triumph.

Kamanbaneng Peak is one of the higher peaks in Sagada bordering Alab. Some things to know about this place are: First, it's a great camping ground; second, if lucky, one can spot some wild horses here, hence the name Marlboro Country. Also, it’s a great alternative to the often crowded Kiltepan Viewpoint.

Long before our ancestors heard of nails and concrete, they were able to construct sturdy houses that could withstand the strongest typhoons with whatever available materials that they could find in the forest, like sticks, lumber, cogon grass and vines. These houses were called “binangi”, others call it gina-on, binatang, or inatep. Such were the houses that dotted our mountainsides as found by the Spanish conquistadores. However, only a few of these houses have withstood the ravages of time and the elements, and the remaining ones are already in an advanced state of deterioration.